Parkhill Primary School Newsletter

Issue 33 Friday 20 November, 2020

Principal's Message

Dear Parents/Carers

At Parkhill this week we have seen our Y5s thinking about leadership - many have chosen to apply for a leadership position as they head into their final year of primary school.

A good leader will have many qualities. Below are five qualities that are important qualities of a good leader, qualities we can see in all children:

  • Communication

  • Confidence

  • Integrity

  • Work Ethic

  • Humble & Teachable

It is important to remember that all children show us leadership at different times and in different situations. 

We had our first Kinder to Foundation transition session yesterday.  It was really lovely to have the kinder kids onsite in small groups.  The children enjoyed half an hour of fun time in the classroom with their Y1 learning buddies which was super to see.  Thank you to the families who joined us for our first online information session where we talked about the importance of Essential Agreements at Parkhill.  Our Community Essential Agreement can be found on the website: 

https://parkhillps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Parkhill-Primary-School-Essential-Agreement.pdf


SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING:

Spending time with your children is such a rewarding and valuable pastime. By sharing activities with your children you can support their emotional, physical, spiritual, mental and social wellbeing as well as developing responsibility for themselves and care for other around them

Here are some suggested ways that you could spend time together this weekend…

STAFFING NEWS:

Many of you will know Mrs Nalina Chandra. Mrs Chandra has been a member of staff at Parkhill for many years in a variety of roles. This year she has been teaching in our Y5/6s. At the end of 2020 Mrs Chandra’s contract with us ends. We are very hopeful we will continue to see Nalina in and around the school in 2021 working with us as a casual relief teacher.

Term Dates 2021

Reminders: 

  • Free Dress Fri-Yay every Friday until the end of term 4. 

  • 2019 Annual Report to the Community is available on our website: https://parkhillps.vic.edu.au/

Please reach out if you need support, help or have any feedback at all to offer elaine.brady@education.vic.gov.au

Take care and very best wishes,

Elaine Brady

Principal


Calendar of Curriculum Events

Tuesday 8 December - Whole School Transition (details to follow)

Wednesday 16 December - Grade 6 Graduation (details to follow)

Friday 18 December - Last day Term 4 - 1.30pm Finish

Thursday 28 January - First day Term 1 2021

Student of the Week

F/1C - Sofian A

F/1S - Oscar S

F/1M - Layla R

2/3B - Conor W

2/3L - Jaiyana E

2/3T - Parker K

4/5D - Jack D

4/5H - Henry B

4/5O - Amaidhi P

5/6C - Baine T

5/6G - Sasha P

2021 Parent Payments

The 2021 Parent payments letter has gone out to all families via email. You will notice a change in the way it has been structured this year due to a change in Department of Education & Training (DET) policy, with each year level having different amounts:

 

·         Foundation $190.50

·         Y1 $187.00

·         Y2 $186.50

·         Y3 $183.00

·         Y4 $125.00

·         Y5 $119.50

·         Y6 $153.50

 

We have had a few queries from parents asking if this is an extra or will be in addition to another fee. These charges replace the old ‘$300 fee’ we used to have. This is the only “fee” you will be charged for 2021 with the exception of excursions/incursions, camps, 5/6 sport or swimming if they occur during 2021. These will be charged to you and payable as they occur throughout the year. It is a reduced amount due to recent DET changes. The list is itemised so families can see exactly what their money is being spent on. 

 

We have listed voluntary contribution areas if you would like to "top up" your payment. All these contributions will support the areas listed as well as covering any potential shortfall and, of course, our important priority areas so we can give the students the best resources we possibly can.  Every little bit helps and we are extremely grateful for whatever contribution can be made.

 

If you have any questions about Parent Payments or payment options, please call the office or email me at jo.ravida@education.vic.gov.au

Jo Ravida

Business Manager

School Council Update

Parkhill’s School Council met on Thursday 19th for its second last meeting of the year. Important agenda items this month included discussion of planning already underway for 2021. Over the past few months staff have been working on identifying learning priorities that align with the school’s Strategic Plan, and that cover a range of new directives from the Department. In addition, drafting of the 2021 budget, and review of the staffing profile has been undertaken. Parkhill will receive funding from the Vic Government’s new ‘Tutoring 2021’ initiative, and plans for ensuring that this funding is used as effectively as possible are in place. It was also good to hear from the teachers on School Council that a Professional Development workshop for all staff (held on the recent curriculum day) provided useful new tools and approaches that are already being put into place in the classroom.

Your School Council members are always willing to discuss issues with you and bring items to attention during meetings. 2020 Parent members: Kirstin Majidi, Pip Papageorgiou, Tania Rose, Clare Sherman, Sumi Sundram, Kylie Touloupis, Freya Wong and Dan Edwards. Staff members: Chris Logan, Liz O’Meara, Jo Ravida, Michelle Smith, and Elaine Brady.

Until next time, cheers, Dan

Policy update - November 2020

Policy committee met recently and reviewed four policies: three Finance policies and the Yard Duty and Supervision policy.

 

The three Finance policies include: Cash Handling, Electronic Funds Management and School Purchasing Card policies. They govern how financial procedures occur in the school. These policies will now go to the Finance subcommittee to be scrutinised.

 

The Yard Duty and Supervision policy outlines how yard duty is conducted, including where, when, and how staff will supervise students. Supervision is provided before school from 8:45AM and after school until 3:45PM. Yard duty supervision also occurs during breaks as well as in classrooms and on excursions and camps.

 

Don’t forget that you can join the policy committee at any time - we welcome anyone to our humble committee and would love the help!

You can find all policies on the school website at https://parkhillps.vic.edu.au/information/#policies

School Learning

2/3B Fractions

 This week, 2/3B have been exploring fractions. They had fun while they created their own pizzas to use in our class game. They were very creative when decorating their pizzas and carefully cut them into eighths. We then used our pizzas in a class game, where the students practiced modelling and representing fractions. They sure were hungry afterwards!

        

Y4/5 Leadership Activity

During leadership this week we participated in an activity where one of the students was the leader and they were the only ones allowed to speak. They had to direct the others in their group to build the tallest and most stable tower in 5 minutes. 

Y4/5 Fractions

Y4/5 students were learning about fractions last week. They were playing games and learning through discussion.

5/6 Inquiry Maths

It was hands on throughout inquiry maths last week as students inquired into volume and its units of measure.  Discussions were a plenty while students grabbled with the question ml or cm3. Rulers and measuring cylinders were the tools of choice as students decided which items should be measured in which unit. Needless to say the concept that large quantities of tan bark and sand being measured in m3 and L was a surprise to all.

Andrea Crane

Y5/6 Teacher

Hi Parkhill Families,

4 more weeks to the end of term! 

A reminder that the cut off date for orders is next Thursday 26 November.

To place an order, go to scholastic.com.au/LOOP or use the LOOP app (which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play). All orders have to be placed online as we are not accepting cash orders. 

Thank you to those families who have placed orders. Every Book Club order earns Scholastic Rewards for the school to purchase additional resources, however there is no obligation for you to make a purchase.

If you need a hand with placing an order or have any other queries, please email angelita.williams@education.vic.gov.au.

PFA News 20 November 2020

Office Bearers:

President: Rossanne Clay       

Treasurer: Vacant

Secretary/Communications: Kylie Touloupis

General Members:  

Elle Delmee, Maria Andrakakos, Sumi Sundram, Vanessa Cowley, Trish King

DON’T FORGET TO GET ON BOARD WITH OUR FUN-A-THON AND

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE AND BEAT THE CLOCK!

Back with a COVID twist this year is our annual online fundraiser.

If you have a particular talent and want to put it to good use - this is the year for you!

How many hula hoops can you spin at one time?

How many hot dogs can you eat in a minute?

How many baskets can you slam dunk in 5 minutes?

Tell us what you are going to do, get some friends and family to sponsor you and get going!

Sign up as a fundraiser at  https://chuffed.org/project/parkhill-fun-a-thon

Everyone that registers for the event and raises over $10 is placed in the draw to win one of 5 prizes.

We are asking for your support through donations via this web site. Rest assured that fundraising through this site ensures that 100% of the donations will go directly to the school.

HONEY FOR SALE!

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS AND PARKHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL

Are you tired of buying unethical food products from big businesses in Australia? Do you love supporting local Melbourne businesses, and eating produce that is healthy and natural?


 Ben’s Bees is raw, local and made with love by happy bees. Follow the link to purchase https://www.trybooking.com/BMPZR


A percentage of each sale will be collected as a fundraiser for the school.

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